Boating and Chocolate

Thanks to Grandpa Joe and the Hogan Expedition, the Spencers have become boaters this summer. Elliot is bound and determined to wakeboard. And thanks to a pretty awesome uncle, who tandem wakeboarded with both boys, and lots of practice Elliot got up last week twice by himself. Now we just have to work on staying up and deep water starts. Charlie tries to get in on the action, but he likes to go slow which doesn't really work.

When it's not Wednesday, our designated boating day, the kids have been playing a lot of star wars and eating a lot of popsicles. Apparently, Lucy likes chocolate.

Yellowstone

We made our annual trek to Yellowstone over the weekend. It seems our kids look forward to this trip more and more every year. And luckily, Yellowstone never disappoints. Charlie won the "What animal will we see first?" contest with bald eagle. The kids love to spot bears, elk, bison, pronghorn, coyotes and all manner of birds.
Our wolf hunt came up short this year. A ranger told the boys the white wolf we saw last year was killed by a rival pack in the fall. And, to add insult to injury, her pack left the park. Thus began the obsessing of how and why the white wolf died and when would she come back to Yellowstone. After two days of questions, Charlie told us the wolf would come back to Yellowstone when Jesus "corrected" (aka resurrected) her.

We hiked to many a stinky pot, which Lucy did not like at all and Charlie thought smelled like gopher, aka sulfur. The boys threw rocks at any water source they could spot. Elliot became a Jr. Ranger, again. We had a great time!

Thank you Grandma and Patrick! We love you.

Wasatch Back

I don't usually post about myself, but I did something over the weekend that was amazing. (That is to say, the experience was amazing, but I'm pretty awesome as well.)

I ran the Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay with my friend Annie and her fun and funny family. We spent 31 hours together running, driving, starving, not sleeping and then running some more. I can't tell you why running, driving and starving was so fun, but it was!

I was runner #2 and my legs combined for 15 miles. On my final leg I was passed (road killed) by Matt Garff. What?!! As if losing to him in the Boulton Fun Run wasn't enough.

Wanting to hurl after trying to catch Matt!

I am literally counting down the days until next year's race. For the first time since my kids arrived I feel like the "I want to be athletic" part of Sara is back and I'm loving it!

I'm so glad that he's my dad

Eight greats about this Dad

1. He watches break dancing instuctions online.
2. He does all the kids hair, including shampoo, cut and style.
3. He knows Charlie's temper comes from him.
4. He's taught the kids how to play every sport imaginable.
5. He reads to the boys every night.
6. Elliot and Charlie are the apples of his eye.
7. He picked out all the paint colors in our house.
8. Lucy melts his heart.

Wedded Bliss

The youngest Lyon got hitched this week.

The grandkids had a grand old time at the dinner. There was dancing,chasing, eating, spilling, dancing some more, watching Nemo (lifesaver!!!!), and then dancing even more.

Swimming Lessons

The boys completed their second round of swimming lessons on Friday. Elliot is a "for real" swimmer. He can swim the length of the pool and go off the diving board. He gets worn out quickly though, considering he swims almost entirely with his arms.

Charlie loves the pool. He spends most of his time under water diving for toys.

Lucy tried to strip the whole time we were at lessons. Like her brothers before her, she wants to be in on the action at all times.

Headed to Boston

My mom qualified for the Boston Marathon yesterday! She ran the Ogden Marathon is 4:13, 2 minutes faster than the 4:15 she needed to qualify. Watching her power through the last 100 yards is always amazing.

Mom, you are an inspiration to me in so many ways. Thank you.

I'm thinking of running the Salt Lake Marathon next spring. Any takers?